Several people mentioned yesterday that they would like to see me move in a more "arty architectural" style with my new statement hair. Now, I have a complicated and ambivalent relationship with "arty." I may like it, but it decidedly does not like me, at least if it involves draping.

So...would those of you who imagine this look do me the favour of supplying a few visuals? I have some ideas of my own but I would like to see if they are consistent with what you might be imagining.

I have lots to say about this change already and no doubt will have plenty more once I'm able to experiment a bit with a camera. DD still has ours at school and with no full length mirror at home, I am limited in what I can see, let alone what I can say with any authority!

However, I did go shopping today simply to try different items on and compare, and I also photographed what I'm wearing.

So far reactions to my hair have ranged from positive to...hmmm...not sure what to call it? Polite shock?

Mr. Suz, my daughter, my step-son, step daughter-in-law, and her daughter have given cut and colour a big thumbs up. This past weekend, I was working in Montreal and visiting family there. My stepson loyally said that I fit right in with the high fashion crowd of the city. Sure enough, on our first evening out, I saw two others in our restaurant wearing super short pixies!

Friends have been less enthusiastic. I saw some for a birthday event yesterday and they ignored it at first and when I mentioned it, they politely said it looks good.

I do think it's a little shorter than ideal, but it will grow, and of course I needed it that short to cut out as much of blonde as I could on the first go. There is still some "champagne" at the top. Sides and back are much bluer grey with more charcoal and silvery white. I think I'll love the colour when it fully comes in.

Meanwhile, to compensate for the shortness of the cut, I suspect it will be important to dress in a more feminine way for a while. Today's outfit incorporates a silk skirt from J. Crew. I have fully tucked the top. I know I'm a bit short waisted, last year when I tucked into a full skirt that I was trying a full skirt from Club Monaco several forum members pointed out that tucking wasn't my best look. I hope it works in this case. The skirt goes to my true waist -- haven't had one of those for a while!

These pics give some idea of my overall look now...I tried to adjust the colour to make up for the horrid store lights.

Thank you all again for the supportive comments about the new hair. It's liberating and feels right to have done this. I was ready for a big change.

True, I am feeling a tiny bit over-shorn, but I know in two weeks it will feel fine, and if I get two more trims back to this length over the summer (a good time to wear it super short!) then all the remaining bits of gold will be gone and I can adjust the length to whatever is most flattering or fun.

So far, it appears to be charcoal at the roots, full of silvery highlights, and there are a few bright white patches. The overall impression is light, bright -- almost white. There is more value contrast between my eyes and my hair now. But I have less colour going on, overall.

Onwards. I have been playing in my closet. No photos, alas, because DD still has the camera, but I'll try to get her to bring it home from school one day next week.

In the meantime, suffice it to say that I'm going to have to let a few things go (no longer flattering) and I will also need to do a bit of shopping to fill some resulting wardrobe holes. :)

I'll go into that in more detail when I'm able to post a few pics (because visuals are so helpful!). In the meantime, I do have a specific question. I will be in Montreal this weekend for a combined work/ mini-holiday and Mr. Suz and I are going out for a few nice meals -- which means I get to dress up. Yay!

However, there is the issue of footwear. My dressiest shoes are probably my champagne Okalas. They are almost a nude on me, with a tiny bit of shine. You can see how well they worked with the old hair.

But...um...with the new hair? Not so much. They are not dreadful but they're not the best, either. (Unlike my gold-toned jewellery, which used to work but which looks hideous on me now, sob...).

Options are the silver Jolenes (more cohesive but somehow not as flattering with the hem length of this particular dress, or as dressy). I also have the pony hair (black and white) Okalas but those are a bit too much pattern with Dress #1.

I may end up taking two different dresses (pics 2 and 3) which work with the pony Okalas, but just in case, do you think the champagne shoe will work okay with my new silvery head?

In my search for spring/ summer items to refresh my wardrobe, I've come up with a few hits, many more fails, and a few question marks. I'm sorry I don't have photos of me wearing any of these items but I'll give you mini-reviews.

I won't discuss footwear (yet).

The Clear Wins (all from J. Crew)

Collection Silk A line skirt in nightfall freesia. I read the reviews and sized up (which was good since I needed to). It is silk but it has pockets, which keeps it from feeling precious. And it goes with almost every top in my closet and both my denim toppers. I think it's a win. Nice change of silhouette. Replaces my VC striped skirt which had pilled from constant wear over three years.

Linen boatneck tees -- these were a no-brainer for me. I already own a navy, a white, and a cobalt one. Despite being delicate they have lasted for three summers with a lot of wear. (I wash them in delicate and lay flat to dry). They're a summer staple offering coverage without sacrificing coolness. They replace several worn out tees.

Striped crewneck sweater -- more of a spring item but since our weather is still freezing I have already worn it about 5 times since it arrived a week ago. Nice quality. Fluid, slightly boxy fit.

Slim chino short -- nice fabric, a bit like a BF short, easy to wear. Some show through in the pockets but this is not a deal breaker for me in this not-tight style. I may cut the back pockets out.

The Fails (Aritzia and The Bay)

Wilfred Octave blouse -- way too cropped even for short-waisted me, and snug in the bust. Back they go. (I knew they would be cropped but not to the extent they are.)

Trompette dress -- in the same size as the blouses, loose rather than snug, with no possibility of wearing a bra and if I went bra-less (which I wouldn't) I would be exposing my entire side-boob. No. Just no.

Free People tank -- ugh. Wrinkly, too big in the body, too short.

The Maybes

Theory Wendell top -- I love this style and this is in a trans-seasonal modal fabric. Fits great, looks great, on sale (and gets rave reviews). But it's rather on the short side (do you detect a theme here) so I am not sure whether I'll keep it. I need to experiment in the closet a bit first.

1 State peplum blouse -- this one is prettier in person than in the photo. I don't usually do V necks but was hoping I might get away with one since I've gained a bit of weight. It is really lovely but rather large for me in the smallest size, not so much at the front (I do fill that out quite well) but at the side body. The armholes manage to be fine in depth, and the pattern helps disguise the extra side fabric, and I have to admit that looseness might be an advantage in high summer. I'll try to get a photo to show you this weekend.

Sevres blouse -- I might try this one a size up. I think I might be between sizes. The bust feels a bit snug. (Yeah...the bust. On me!!) I also think it is on the long side for me -- there is something about the cut that isn't quite right. I fear that the next size up will be too low under the arms. However, might be worth a try. Pattern and fabric are nice.

The moral of the story? It appears there is a reason that a good half of my wardrobe is from J. Crew. When you're confined to online shopping for the most part and you find a brand that pretty consistently fits, it's hard not to get a bit dependent. I do sometimes yearn to branch out a bit from the preppy vibe, but again -- when the skirt (or tee, or sweater) fits....

Hello, friends. And happy mother's day to those that celebrate this holiday.

As usual, I am late to begin my sping/ summer shopping. I did at least get a jump on the sandals (yay -- should be set for those!) but I neglected everything else, including those fab Ecco runners which are not available in my size except from Zappos which does not deliver to Canada (sob.)

In my defence, we still do not have spring/summer in my neck of the woods. The leaves are only just peeking out on trees and it is mostly freezing.

I've just ordered a couple of practical items from J. Crew (see Finds) along with a wild card silk skirt just for the sake of femininity. It is from the winter collection but I think looks like a great spring/summer item for my climate.

I am now in search of another staple. And I have looked high and low to no avail.

Several years ago I got these trapeze type tanks from Zara. (In Finds and also in photo with me and my brother.) LOVED them. Silk front, viscose back. High neck. High armholes. Cool, almost wrinkle free (amazingly) and easy to wash and wear. One quick swipe of the iron and they were good to go.

Alas, they're done now. I wore them to death, multiple times a week for two summers running and the backs were all pilled and I had a stain on the blue one.

You would think such a thing would be pretty easy to replace. But no such luck. I have looked at Zara, Massimo Dutti, Banana, J. Crew, Mango, Aritzia, and Club Monaco as well as Loft and Ann Taylor. To no avail. Any other options? Preferably with delivery to Canada, but at this rate I am so desperate I would get canny about it. I am also willing to spend a bit because these are summer essentials for me.

I would prefer:

High neck (many similar items are not high neck)

NO gathers (some recent ones are more baby doll style with gathers under bust, not a nice look for me)

High enough armhole (so bra is not forever flashing)

Natural fibres with some drape (so not polyester as it is too hot for my summer climate).